Vaughan, who stood down as England captain after the Test series defeat by South Africa, has been left out of the forthcoming tour to India.

He scored just 40 runs in three Tests against South Africa and then only 41 in four County Championship innings for Yorkshire after handing over the leadership reins to Kevin Pietersen.

But Warne, who yesterday said he would consider coming out of retirement if he was asked by the current Australia team, remains convinced England will be a better side in next summer's Ashes series with Vaughan back in at the top of the order.

Warne said: "I remember him coming to Australia in 2002 and he played unbelievably – right up there with Brian Lara and Sachin Tendulkar in the way he played against us in our conditions.

"He is still the best No 3 that England have got. I have still got some doubts about Ian Bell and a couple of others. Michael Vaughan needs to be back in the side for England to have their best side on the field. England will be a stronger side with Michael Vaughan in it, that's for sure."

Warne is in London to promote his new book – Shane Warne's Century – in which he lists the top 100 players he competed with and against through his career.

Warne announced his retirement following Australia's 5-0 whitewash victory over England last year, having taken a then world-record 708 Test wickets – a feat that has since been surpassed by Sri Lanka spinner Muttiah Muralitharan.

But, as Australia start the first of their four-Test series against India in Bangalore today with the selectors to decide which of uncapped duo Jason Krejza and Cameron White they will take into the match, Warne said: "If the call comes I will consider it. I'm fit enough. I'm probably fitter than I have ever been at the moment."

England's Twenty20 match against a Stanford Super Stars XI remains under threat after legal wrangles continued.

The match is due to be played on November 1, with around £500,000 per player up for grabs for the victorious team.

However, the West Indies Cricket Board may be forced to withdraw their sanction for the match following their arbitration case with telecommunications company Digicel in London.

The root of the dispute has been the claim by Digicel that they have branding rights for the game under the terms of their sponsorship contract with the WICB. Match organisers Stanford 20/20 would rather find their own sponsors.